VICE-PRESIDENT W.K Mutale-Nalumango has assured Zambians that the country’s economy will stabilise as the Government is currently implementing sustainable measures to improve the situation.
Ms Mutale-Nalumango said the Bank of Zambia was managing the liquidity situation well, which had seen a reduction in inflation, as the cost of living in some parts of the country was also going down.
She said the increase in local pump prices for petroleum products was instigated by global external shocks such as the Russia, Ukraine conflict which had increased the price of oil on the international market.
Ms Mutale-Nalumango said this during the vice- president’s question time in Parliament yesterday, in response to Nalolo Party for National Unity and Progress Member of Parliament (MP) Imanga Wamunyima.
“We inherited a run- down economy at a very difficult time for the world but I want to assure the people that, something is indeed being done to improve their way of life and that is why this Government wants to work with everyone, without leaving anyone behind, Ms Mutale- Nalumango said.
She implored civil service staff to be loyal to serving the Government of the day and not frustrate the implementation of Government development projects.
“Politicians come and go but the civil service is a going concern, so if you have been serving from the UNIP (United National Independence Party) government, do not stick to the UNIP manifesto when it is UPND (United Party for National Development) in Government,” she said.
This was in response to Itezhi-Tezhi UPND MP Twaambo Mutinta who referred to President Hakainde Hichilema’s concern about the work culture of some civil service staff.
Ms Mutale-Nalumango said the implementation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) should not be politicised as the fund was a tool meant to improve the welfare of citizens.
“CDF can help improve the livelihood of many households, improve services such as water and sanitation provision,” she said in response to separate interventions by Kalulushi Patriotic Front (PF) MP Kampamba Chewe and Sikongo UPND MP Mayungo Simushi.
Ms Mutale-Nalumango said the Government, which was relatively new in office, was studying the content of the Barotseland Agreement of 1964.
She said this in response to Shiwan’gandu PF MP Stephen Kampyongo who asked for the Government’s position on the matter.
“But all I can say is that we shall remain One Zambia, One Nation,” Ms Mutale-Nalumango said.
And in response to leader of the opposition in Parliament Brian Mundubile, Ms Mutale- Nalumango said a ministerial statement would be rendered on the reported offloading of shares in Kansanshi Mining Plc in North- Western Province.
